Artwork Page for The Snowy Garden

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The Snowy Garden

1854

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川 広重

(Japanese, 1797–1858)

and Utagawa Kunisada 歌川 国貞

(Japanese, 1786–1865)
Culture
Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)
Medium
Triptych of color woodblock prints, ink and color on paper
Measurements
Sheet: 35.6 x 75 cm (14 x 29 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of James Parmelee 1940.989
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

These prints depict an episode from A Rustic Genji, a Japanese graphic novel based on the 11th-century classic The Tale of Genji. Three maidservants are making a giant snow rabbit while the protagonist of A Rustic Genji, Ashikaga Jiro Mitsuuji, stands in the snow with a woman who is possibly his lover. Stylistic hallmarks tell us that Utagawa Kunisada was responsible for the figures and the giant snow rabbit and Utagawa Hiroshige designed the background landscape. This collaboration—both artists signed the prints—on a Genji-related work targeted a broader audience by capitalizing on each artist’s individual strengths.
A horizontally oriented woodblock print triptych depicts figures with light skin tones in a snowy garden. On our left, two figures in patterned kimonos stand near a building. In the center, a blue stream flows past a stone lantern under snow-laden trees. On our right, three women in floral kimonos gather around a large snow rabbit; one holds a red tray while another leans over. A five-tiered tower rises against a dark sky.

The Snowy Garden

1854

Utagawa Hiroshige, Utagawa Kunisada

(Japanese, 1797–1858), (Japanese, 1786–1865)
Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)

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